READER OF THE WEEK IS JANESA TAYLOR OF AMITYVILLE
Pets, Pets, Pets...
Remembering Mann Gulch fire 75 years later, Page 3 Vol. 120, No. 33
WEDNESDAY, August 14, 2024
Obituary: Matthew DeMarco Page 6
www.amityvillerecord.com
by Joanne Anderson
This week’s Pets, Pets, Pets Page 8
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Copiague’s martial arts champion Thomas Mannina brings home the gold By Christie Leigh Babirad Thomas Mannina is only 10 but he didn’t let that stop him from making the USA team for Taekwondo and recently compete at the 2024 AAU National Taekwondo Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he brought home a gold medal in blackbelt. “That was my most exciting win because I’m on the U.S. team now,” said Thomas, who’s been competing at a higher level than his age since he was 5. Thomas has been training in taekwondo since he was three years old and up until this year he was training at Champions Taekowndo in Copiague under Master Han. He recently transferred over to the main headquarters in Westbury, which is run by Master Andrew HJ Oh, Master Clinton Oh, Master Andres Moreno and Master Christina Oh. “This incredible achievement of my grandson making it onto the U.S.A. team wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication, expertise and guidance of these amazing individuals,” said Thomas’s grandfather, Copiague Fire Department, Vigilant Engine Company firefighter Thomas Dodge. Dodge added that he would like to thank Master Junhyun Han of Champions Taekwondo for the past 7 years of outstanding coaching. “Your incredible coaching and dedication to Thomas’s training have been
Ever-popular Babylon Beach Blast, with fireworks show, this Saturday Plan to get down to Cedar Beach on Sat., August 17 at 11 a.m. to listen to live music and then participate in various beach games at 1 p.m. Residents are invited to take part in all the events of the popular Babylon Beach Blast free of charge. At dusk the day will culminate with the annual fireworks extravaganza, which can be viewed from Cedar and Overlook Beaches. The Babylon IDA donated the fireworks for the fireworks show to end the night. There are also some amazing performances lined up, starting with Beer Nutz at 3:30 p.m. and Somethin’ Fresh at 7 p.m. Residents should note that the Cedar Beach golf course will be closed on Sat., Aug. 17 because of the festivities.
instrumental to his success,” said Dodge. Additionally, he would like to thank the coaches and staff at CMA Headquarters where Thomas is a member of the CMA Academy. Thomas is also a 2024 New York State AAU Taekwondo Champion, 2024 USAT New York State Taekwondo Champion and a 2024 AAU New Jersey State Taekwondo Champion. Thomas has been an AAU and USAT National Champion several years in a row and a medalist in many local, state and international competitions, including the Puerto Rico Open where he was awarded a silver medal, and at the US open he received a gold medal. Not only excelling in taekwondo, Thomas also plays baseball for the Copiague Youth League as a pitcher, second base and shortstop. He previously played for the Lindenhurst National League, minor league with a highest hitting average of 866. “He amazes me, he really does,” said Dodge, who said that the 2024 AAU National Taekwondo Championships in Fort Lauderdale was the first time his grandson was able to compete with kids his own age since he is already a second degree black belt and there are few at his level. “He is usually pushed up to the next age group,” said Dodge. Son to Julie Dodge and Gary Mannina, Thomas has two siblings, Madison and Johnny, and will be entering the 5th grade at St. Martin of Tours School in Amityville. In addition to excelling in athletics, Thomas has repeatedly made the honor roll and said that his favorite subject in school is math. He is also a member of the Copiague Junior Fire Department. “I like the drills,
Thomas Mannina, Copiague 10-yearold who is making his mark and bringing home gold. the meetings and practicing ladder climbing,” said Thomas. “He loves being tested,” said Dodge, (Continued on Page 7))